Rioja, a region renowned for its rich viticultural heritage, is experiencing an exciting transformation as a new generation of winemakers emerges alongside traditional producers. The journey to Rioja involves navigating busy highways, particularly near Burgos, where the landscape gives way to a picturesque valley framed by the Cantabrian mountains. This transition highlights the vibrant life… Read More »
Wine has historically been interwoven with economics, yet the current landscape presents unprecedented challenges. As Michel Bettane recently noted, the wine industry is facing a crisis reminiscent of the phylloxera plague. This reality is starkly visible in Bordeaux, where the rhythm of life feels disconnected from the struggles observed in other regions. In Bordeaux, the… Read More »
This remarkable wine, Morandé La Capilla El Cabernet de Ránguil 2021, comes from 130-year-old ungrafted vines rooted in degraded granite soils, characterized by a red clay matrix and significant quartz presence. After aging for 16 months in used French oak, this Cabernet Sauvignon presents a unique profile, contrasting with the more common País, Cinsault, or… Read More »
At the 2026 Decanter Fine Wine Encounter in New York City, Master Sommelier Pascaline Lepeltier hosted a sold-out Champagne masterclass, featuring wines from Delamotte and Salon. This exclusive event allowed attendees to taste five vintages of the renowned Salon, which has been produced only 45 times since its inception in 1905, alongside five exceptional Blanc… Read More »
Fresh, breezy Schiava caught my attention on a recent trip to the small mountainous region of Alto Adige in northern Italy. Despite its past reputation for poor-quality mass-market versions from the 1980s, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of Schiava wines tasted at the Alto Adige Wine Summit—30 out of the 40 I sampled… Read More »
Cinsault has historically played a vital role in South African winemaking, often blended with premium varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon. This grape thrives in warmer climates, producing fresh, lighter-style red wines. While its presence has diminished over the years, Cinsault is experiencing a resurgence in appreciation. One exemplary offering is the Cecilia Wines Cinsault 2025 from… Read More »
By the time the Continental Congress officially endorsed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, winemaking in North America had already seen a varied history. The initial attempts to craft wine date back to the early European settlers, who experimented with native grape varieties. These indigenous grapes were known for their high acidity and… Read More »
During the recent FLXcursion event, a seminar shed light on the Finger Lakes region’s potential beyond its famed Riesling. The panel, comprising Tara Q Thomas, Jamal Rayyis, and Lisa Granik, highlighted the region’s rich history, revealing that in 1900, 20,000 acres of grapes were planted, yielding around 7 million bottles of sparkling wine annually. However,… Read More »
The vibrant celebrations in London on May 29, 1660, marked the return of King Charles II to his throne on his 30th birthday. This event came after 11 years of the austere Protectorate, heralding an era of libertinism and revelry that defined the Restoration period. As the court welcomed the young king, a group of… Read More »
While cooler regions like Oregon’s Willamette Valley often dominate discussions about sparkling wine, the quality fizz emerging from Washington state is making waves in the wine community. As the United States gears up to celebrate its 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this Fourth of July, Washington’s sparkling wines present an exciting and diverse… Read More »